Arbutus Music Academy

Group Classes

Below is a generalized description of the group classes offered by Arbutus Music Academy – for group class times and individual Syllabi, please visit the Group Class Schedule Page. Please note that written approval from a private teacher is needed for students not registered at Arbutus Music Academy wishing to enroll in RCM Technique Classes

Group classes are an integral part of the Suzuki instructional method; they are included in the fees for half hour lessons. These classes not only reinforce what is learned in the private lessons, but are an opportunity for students to work on performing together with others and developing their listening and concentration skills. The focus of these classes will be games and exercises to learn posture, technical fundamentals of position and to supplement regular review of repertoire. Beginner classes are for students who are beginning the violin/viola up to those that are polishing Go Tell Aunt Rhody. Book One is for students working from O Come Little Children to those polishing Gavotte by Gossec. Students will also learn the fundamentals of note reading through half hour Kodaly classes, which are included in the beginner and book one classes.

Suzuki/RCM Fusion classes are geared to supplementing the traditional repertoire work in Suzuki classes with scales, studies and sight-reading skills. Regular review of performance repertoire will be included, as well as work on Joanne Martin’s I Can Read Music series and additional reading materials. Students will learn the scales that are common to both the repertoire studied in Suzuki Violin (and viola) School volumes 1 to 3 and the RCM Technical Requirements Intro-Level 4.
Students taking longer 45 and 60 minute lessons are strongly advised to continue with group classes either of the Suzuki/RCM Fusion or RCM Technique.

RCM technique classes are meant to provide a thorough grounding in the scales, studies and sight reading that are fundamental as each student progresses, with an emphasis on preparing students for the graded Royal Conservatory of Music practical examinations held three times each year. One third of these exams’ grades are based on scales, technique, sight reading and ear tests alone. Students will use the RCM Technical Requirements books, supplemented with studies, ear training and sight reading materials as required by the syllabus provided for each grade level.

Arbutus Music Academy offers chamber music classes starting 4:30 pm on Fridays, led by Alla Shmaenok. This classes are intended for students at minimum Book Two Suzuki/Grade 3 RCM level through RCM/ Suzuki Book 6 or 7 and is geared toward learning ensemble skills and improving reading. Friday rehearsals are 60 minutes each. Students will be placed according to their experience and reading ability, and will be given simplified parts at first, then progress to more advanced parts as they gain confidence with their skills.

Our Kodaly classes are designed to introduce with young children to the language of written music through what is most natural to them–action and singing games. Jo Yawney, an experienced violin teacher and Kodaly music specialist leads the classes through a fun curriculum of learning notes, understanding rhythms and structures of songs and prepares young children for the study of an instrument, as well as teaching the fundamentals of music theory to young instrumentalists. Classes are offered from 3 to 10 years of age; call for current class times. More information on Kodaly is available here: www.tunetravels.net

Advanced Chamber music classes(free for students already enrolled in one group class)

60 min

$375 ($25/class)

2

N/A

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Junior Chamber music classes (free for students already enrolled in one group class)

60 min.

$150 ($10/class)

N/A

N/A

For 45 and 60 min. lessons, Group Classes are available for an additional fee

* Classes in Green are free for students registered for 30 min. lessons

**Theory classes with less than minimum enrolment can be scheduled as private lessons for $45/hour

For more info regarding the Group Classes, including class times and Syllabi, please visit the Group Class Schedule [link] page

Classes below minimum enrolment are subject to cancellation

Music Theory

Arbutus Music Academy offers programs for all levels of music theory and history. Knowledge of music theory is necessary as a student progresses from the beginning to intermedate levels of playing. Theory exams are co-requisites for all RCM instruments starting from Level 5, and continue through Level 10 and ARCT.

Weekly programs begin in September, January and June of each year. A Preparatory Theory Program covering Levels 1-4 is available to students without previous experience in theory. Programs for each of Levels 5 through 8 consist of a minumum of sixteen lessons conducted in a single term, including time for mock exams. Programs for theory and history beyond Level 8 generally take two terms of study.

Both private lessons and classes are offered to students. Classes are scheduled based on demand and require a minimum of two students. Students may begin private lessons at any time. Please, contact Thomas to book a lesson time.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Whether for beginners or advanced students, young or old, our teachers use their world-wide experience and training to craft the best way for each student to explore the beauty of violin or viola playing. Instrumental lessons are available on violin or viola, cello, guitar and piano.

Violin/Viola Suzuki Program

Your child can begin lessons as early as three or four years of age in our Suzuki-based program. Our teachers have SAA registered training and experience with beginners of many ages: our 30-minute beginner violin and viola lessons include 18 one-on-one private lessons per term, and 15 one hour group lessons, where students explore the essentials of playing and learning their instruments, and the basics of music literacy through Kodaly activities and songs. Come see how much fun learning a string instrument can be!

Cello Lessons

Through private weekly lessons at Arbutus Music Academy,students of any age and level can develop their musicality,learn and master the complex tasks required to play cello. Students can follow RCM examinations or learn to play just for fun using traditional or Suzuki method with our qualified instructor.

Traditional private lessons (violin, viola, cello, guitar and piano)

Students of many ages and levels have benefitted from the wide range of professional playing and pedagogical experience of our teachers. We have five violin teachers (three who also teach viola) whose students have participated in various orchestras and local and provincial festivals, and received good to excellent rankings in RCM examinations. Our faculty use their training to create the best and most interesting way for each individual to achieve their instrumental goals…..whether it is to go on to study music at the university level, or simply to use their musical training to enhance their lives in other areas.

For 45 and 60 min. lessons, Group Classes are available for an additional fee.

VIOLIN/VIOLA LESSONS

30 min.

$45 x 18 lessons = $810 per term

(Includes Group Class and Orchestra)

45 min.

$55 x 18 lessons = $990 per term

(Private lessons only)*

60 min.

$70 x 18 lessons = $1260 per term

(Private lessons only)*

* for 45 and 60 min. lessons, Group Classes are available for an additional fee

CELLO LESSONS

30 min.

$35 x 18 lessons = $630 per term

(Private lessons only)

45 min.

$55 x 18 lessons = $990 per term

(Private lessons only)

60 min.

$70 x 18 lessons = $1260 per term

(Private lessons only)

PIANO & GUITAR LESSONS

30 min.

$35 x 18 lessons = $630 per term

(Private lessons only)

45 min.

$52.50 x 18 lessons = $945 per term

(Private lessons only)

60 min.

$70 x 18 lessons = $1260 per term

(Private lessons only)

ACCOMPANIMENT FEES

30 min.

$30

45 min.

$45

60 min.

$60

Trial Classes & Lessons

Trial Lessons and classes for new students for private lessons on violin, viola, piano, guitar and/or Kodaly are free of charge and may be booked by appointment with the office or individual teachers. A fee of $30 ($15 for Kodaly) will be charged for additional trials with other teachers.

Terms and Fees

Each term is made up of 18 weeks of private instruction and 15 weeks of group classes.Term 1 is September through January and Term 2 is February through June. Students may begin lessons at any time during the semester on approval of the teacher. Tuition will be charged for remaining lessons only. All tuition fees are payable in advance by semester. Teachers take payment for lessons by cheque or cash and will issue a receipt. All registrations are subject to a yearly non-refundable fee of $30.00 (max $50 per family) payable to Arbutus Music Academy via cheque, cash or Paypal.

Tuition Fees are based on the amount of private instruction time. They may also include group classes and orchestra based on lesson length. Please check with the office to find out which group classes are available at each level.